Exercise Science

Large corporations, hospitals, colleges, small businesses, and resorts and hotels are purchasing more health promotion services than ever before. The exercise science major at North Dakota State University meets the demand for this new career. The exercise science major is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine. This curriculum covers the knowledge, skills and abilities expected of an ACSM Health/Fitness Specialist.

Exercise Science Major

The exercise science (ES) major is designed to prepare the students for entry-level positions in any of the four health-fitness settings: commercial, community, corporate or clinical. Completion of the major in ES may act as a stepping stone to prepare the exceptional student for graduate education in exercise physiology/science, cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, sports nutrition, sports medicine, biomechanics and other allied health disciplines.

 

The ES major includes everything from the study of physical activity and the associated acute and chronic physiological responses and adaptations resulting from it, to health-fitness business management principles found in facilities worldwide. Majors are strongly encouraged to select a minor in business or any other area depending on their interests. Several field experience courses during the four-year program as well as a capstone experience involving a semester-long internship required at the end of the ES major afford students the opportunity to select an area of specialization in the field at sites available throughout the country.

Career Options

The following list is not all-inclusive, but does identify some of the most common career and job opportunities in the four health-fitness settings. Exercise science graduates from NDSU (approximately 30 to 40 per year) are employed in these different settings across the country, especially in metropolitan areas. Approximately 30% of our graduates have continued on to graduate school or medical school, and about 20% have been hired on at their internship site.

Commercial Setting -- The greatest proportion of jobs can be found in for-profit, commercially run health-fitness facilities. The commercial environment is for someone interested in the marketing and sales of health-fitness services and products. This also is a good place for broad exposure to management in the health-fitness industry.

Community Setting --Many organizations and agencies serve clients in community settings, including voluntary, not-for-profit entities, as well as public parks and recreation agencies, schools and universities, hotels, country clubs and residential health-fitness developments. Many community-based facilities and programs offer exposure to health-fitness programming coupled with a social and recreational focus.

Corporate Setting --  In-house health-fitness facilities and services found in large and small-scale businesses have spread like wildfire. The objectives of these facilities may include reductions in employee absenteeism, turnover rates and health care costs, while improving employee wellness, morale and enthusiasm in the workplace.

Clinical Setting -- Hospital-based health-fitness facilities can be found in one out of every four hospitals, with a forecasted growth to almost two out of every four hospitals expected within the next decade. Most of these facilities are closely associated with out patient services, such as physical therapy, sports medicine and cardiac rehabilitation, and frequently provide both types of programs in the same facility.

With an undergraduate degree and no experience, a starting salary averages $35,000 to $40,000 per year. However, the starting salary for health-fitness professionals is difficult to predict because of such factors as experience, geographic location, employment setting and market demand. It also may depend on licensure and certification. An advanced degree may pay more.

Pre-Professional and Professional Tracks

Admission to the pre-professional emphasis in ES occurs when the student applies to NDSU and declares an ES major. The pre-professional emphasis encompasses the freshman year; transfer students are placed in the pre-professional emphasis upon acceptance. Entrance into the professional emphasis occurs through application at the end of the second semester of sophomore year or as transfer students complete the requirements below. The following requirements must be met before beginning the professional course of study:

1. Successful completion of professional preparation courses with a grade of C or better:
   • Biol 220/220 L
   • HNES 170
2. Minimum grade point average(GPA) of 2.75 and must receive a C in all major requirements.
3. Completion of application to professional emphasis

Application guidelines are provided during classes (HNES 170) and advising sessions, as well as being available on the department website.

High School Preparation

While in high school, you should choose courses which provide a good background in science, mathematics, business and communication. Individual commitment to lifetime fitness and personal health and well-being is very important. Volunteer work at a health-fitness facility and participation in local health fairs may provide valuable experiences in health-fitness programming.

Sample Curriculum

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

Robert Dirk, Academic Advisor
College of Human Development and Education

North Dakota State University
Dept #2600, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-9848
Fax: (701) 231-7174
Email:Robert.A.Dirk@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/hde

or

Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences
North Dakota State University
Dept #2620, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-7792
Fax: (701) 231-8872
Email: D.Terbizan@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/academic/factsheets/ hde/ccf.shtml

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/prospective_students/

(02/10)